Mayenne (commune) explained
| Mayenne |
| Commune Status: | Subprefecture and commune |
| Image Coat Of Arms: | Blason Mayenne.svg |
| Arrondissement: | Mayenne |
| Canton: | Mayenne |
| Mayor: | Jean-Pierre Le Scornet[1] |
| Term: | 2020 - 2026 |
| Coordinates: | 48.312°N -0.6183°W |
| Elevation M: | 124 |
| Elevation Min M: | 82 |
| Elevation Max M: | 159 |
| Area Km2: | 19.88 |
| Insee: | 53147 |
| Postal Code: | 53100 |
Mayenne (in French majɛn/) is a commune in the Mayenne department, northwestern France. It is a subprefecture of the department. It is situated on the river Mayenne.
History
In medieval times, the town was the seat of the Lords of Mayenne. The town originated when Juhel II of Mayenne (lord of Mayenne, Gorron and Ambrières (1110–1161)) built a monastery near the gate of the pre-existing castle, which led to the formation of the settlement.
Mayenne was besieged twice during the French Wars of Religion, in 1574 and 1590, and suffered substantial damage. It was rebuilt and re-embellished in the following century thanks to the help of Cardinal Mazarin. It however suffered from plague in 1707.
On 9 June 1944, during World War II, it was bombed by the RAF, which caused heavy damage and numerous casualties.
Main sights
- The Château, built in the 10th century (900–920) is an exceptional example of a palace dating from the Carolingian period. Reception room, tower and cellar are remarkably well preserved. The dungeon and ramparts, built in the 13th century to transform the castle into a fortress, still proudly dominate the river and the town of Mayenne. The vaulted rooms and the chapel still have thirteenth century decorations. The chapel dating from the 19th century with its baroque decoration bears witness to the long period of time he was a prison. Once used as a prison, since 2008 it is home to the "Musée du Château de Mayenne" (the Mayenne Castle Museum).[2]
- The Basilica of Notre-Dame, founded in 1100. Of the original building, only the piers and the arcades of the nave remain.
- Romanesque church of St. Martin, enlarged in neo-medieval style during the nineteenth century.
Notable people
- Guy Chantepleure, writer
- Paul Delaunay, physician and historian
- Elias Durand, pharmacist and botanist
- Étiemble, writer
- Marc Joulaud, politician
- Édouard Lambert, sports shooter
- Jean-François Rivière, footballer
- Romain Salin, footballer
- Michel Tronchay, priest and historian
- Élie Sauvage (1814–1871), playwright
Twin towns – sister cities
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in France. Mayenne is twinned with:[3]
See also
References
- Web site: Répertoire national des élus: les maires. data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 13 September 2022. fr.
- Web site: Plan your visit - Musée du Château de Mayenne. 26 July 2018.
- Web site: Association de jumelage de la ville de Mayenne. Mayenne Communauté. fr. 2022-04-05.
External links
Jesi, Italy